Partially-sighted pedestrian with cerebral palsy convicted of manslaughter after cyclist killed

A partially-sighted pedestrian with cerebral palsy has been convicted of manslaughter after a 77-year-old cyclist fell into the path of a car after being confronted about riding on a pavement.

Auriol Grey, 49, gestured in a “hostile and aggressive way” towards retired midwife Celia Ward who then fell into the path of an oncoming car.

A video shown to Peterborough Crown Court, Cambs, captured the moment Grey shouted at Mrs Ward to "get off the [expletive] pavement".

Moments later Mrs Ward appears to wobble off the pavement into the carriageway at Huntingdon, Cambs, where she is struck by a VW Passat. Grey, of Huntingdon, Cambs, was convicted of manslaughter and will be sentenced on March 2.

The court heard the two women passed each other in opposite directions on the pavement of the town's ring road pavement on October 20, 2020.

The prosecution claimed Grey was "angered by the presence of a cyclist on a footpath".

Prosecutor Simon Spence KC said Grey shouted at Mrs Ward and "gestured in a hostile and aggressive way towards" her, causing her to fall off the bike and into the road where she was hit by an oncoming car.

Jurors heard the vehicle had no chance to stop or take avoiding action and Mrs Ward died at the scene.

The court heard Grey left prior to emergency services arriving and went to Sainsbury's where she bought groceries.

In a police interview, Grey, who has cerebral palsy, told officers she was partially sighted and described the pedal cycle as travelling "fast" in the centre of the pavement.

She stated she was "anxious that I was going to get hit by it", adding she "may have unintentionally put" out her hand to protect herself.

But after being shown the CCTV footage, interviewing officer Det Sgt Mark Dollard asked her why she said what she said, to which she responded: "I don't know."

The court was told police could not "categorically" state whether the pavement was a shared cycleway.

After the verdict, Det Sgt Dollard said: "This is a difficult and tragic case.

"Everyone will have their own views on cyclists, pavements and cycleways but what is clear is Auriol Grey’s response to the presence of Celia on a pedal cycle was totally disproportionate and ultimately found to be unlawful, resulting in Celia's untimely and needless death.

"I am pleased with the verdict and hope it is a stark reminder to all road users to take care and be considerate to each other.

"I want to take the time to acknowledge Celia's family and thank them for their patience and dignity throughout the entirety of the investigation and trial."